Between THE FRENCH CONNECTION and REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE, SUPERMARKET is rightfully regarded as a cult classic of German cinema.

Willi (Klick-discovery Charlie Wierczejewski) lives on the streets of Hamburg, always on the run. Being sheltered by a good-natured journalist who attempts to resocialize him doesn’t stop him from getting in trouble. While being involved with small-time crook Theo (Walter Kohut) who makes him work the streets, he falls in love with prostitute Monika (Eva Mattes).
Willi comes up with a dangerous plan that will enable both of them to make their last great escape.

Not making its protagonist a welfare case but romanticizing it as a James-Dean-like outlaw was unheard of in German cinema of the time; SUPERMARKET was the first film to depict social reality in such an immersive way. As much as it is a carefully orchestrated action film, SUPERMARKET encompasses the hopes of a generation of young people who thought of themselves as both misunderstood and rejected and is rightfully a landmark of 70s cinema.

The film includes stunning photography by Jost Vacano (DAS BOOT, nearly all Paul Verhoeven movies), who essentially invented his special Steadicam the “Joosticam” on Supermarkt’s set.

State Film Award in Gold 1974 for Best Director and Best Supporting Role for Walter Kohut

Original title: Supermarkt / available in HD / colour / 84 min / German with english subtitles / West Germany 1974